DPL

The Frontier Conference of the DA is starting a Frontier Development League for its member clubs. This is to be very similar, if not exactly like the DPL or DA2 that DA clubs out west started this past season. Just wondering what were the pros and cons, if any, for those that participated. Did many players get moved up to DP or full DA status in their respective clubs? Was there quality talent in the league? Just curious as to what the experiences were.

The pilot here in socal features many of the 03 DA players from this last season. So there really wasn’t a DP situation like you might experience. This season’s pilot should be different than the schaudenfraude that DPL was this last season.

The Frontier Conference of the DA is starting a Frontier Development League for its member clubs. This is to be very similar, if not exactly like the DPL or DA2 that DA clubs out west started this past season. Just wondering what were the pros and cons, if any, for those that participated. Did many players get moved up to DP or full DA status in their respective clubs? Was there quality talent in the league? Just curious as to what the experiences were.

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If you look at the various rosters you will see that kids did get pulled up from DPL.

Not a lot though. Most kids on DPL will never get pulled up. Keep that in mind.

This past year DPL basically played 8-9 games vs other DPL teams. This year the word is a full fall and spring schedule which makes it more of a league vs last year.

The pilot here in socal features many of the 03 DA players from this last season. So there really wasn’t a DP situation like you might experience. This season’s pilot should be different than the schaudenfraude that DPL was this last season.

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I think you misunderstand. He did not ask about the pilot. He asked about DPL which is being replicated in Texas. There are already several threads here that discuss the pros and cons in great length. You just have to wade through the hundreds of posts of people that mostly don’t have kids in DPL complaining about another league.

In my opinion, the only value of playing DPL is the chance you get to DP or moved to full DA status. This past year three 01’s and three 02’s DP’d on our 01/02 DA team. All six played DPL. One was playing up on the 00 DPL team. Two were on the 01 DPL team and the others on the 02 DPL team. One of the 01’s (from the 01 DPL) moved to full DA mid season. The three 02’s moved full time DA towards the end of the season. Based playing time these four should have been with the DA from the beginning.

Was there an actual schedule for the season or was it just a week to week announcement that the teams may or may not play? Was there a complimentary league that these teams played in along with DPL? Did the teams supplement the lack of games with tournaments or showcases? From what I read about the idea of the league when it was announced, it sounds like it was just a bunch of lip service to keep kids tied to the clubs involved.

I think you misunderstand. He did not ask about the pilot. He asked about DPL which is being replicated in Texas. There are already several threads here that discuss the pros and cons in great length. You just have to wade through the hundreds of posts of people that mostly don’t have kids in DPL complaining about another league.

In my opinion, the only value of playing DPL is the chance you get to DP or moved to full DA status. This past year three 01’s and three 02’s DP’d on our 01/02 DA team. All six played DPL. One was playing up on the 00 DPL team. Two were on the 01 DPL team and the others on the 02 DPL team. One of the 01’s (from the 01 DPL) moved to full DA mid season. The three 02’s moved full time DA towards the end of the season. Based playing time these four should have been with the DA from the beginning.

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I would say many playing the pilot are just focused on the 03-04 DPL season a year from now. Call ups can happen, but a good
Lot of the pilot players, so I’m talking about 03 DPL players this season, have already played DA. It’s more long term if the clubs honor it. Remains to be seen.

Actually the DPL schedule came out before the CSL and SCDSL schedule last year. Yes it was only 9 games but CSL and SCDSL each was only one more league game (10 games). DPL teams did the same as every other team and played tournaments and showcases after.

I would say many playing the pilot are just focused on the 03-04 DPL season a year from now. Call ups can happen, but a good
Lot of the pilot players, so I’m talking about 03 DPL players this season, have already played DA. It’s more long term if the clubs honor it. Remains to be seen.

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If your on the pilot team you better be one of the top 5 players else I believe you may not back to the DA next year.

Correct me if I'm wrong but was the DPL only for the 03 age group? Are there plans to expand it this season?
The way it is being proposed here is...
It is basically the DA version of ECNL but it is controlled by the clubs, not the Federation. It is for players, U13-U19, that want the DA atmosphere without making the full 10 month commitment. They can be recommended for DP status if they become interested in that at some point. They can participate in outside competitions. Gameday and practice logistics will mirror that of DA as much as possible. There's a 16-20 game schedule and teams will play 2-4 national/regional showcases and other tournaments, as coaches see fit. There's only 6 clubs participating, 1 in Oklahoma, 3 in DFW, 1 in Austin and 1 in Houston.

As I read through this thread I found quite a bit of info and opinions helpful and interesting. My youngest is a 06 and her team will be playing DPL this upcoming season. As you know most 06’s are not playing 05/06 DA (though it seems no one really thinks of this as a dual age group) as it appears 06 will be it’s own age group next year. Having DPL for this age group before moving to DA next year offers the 06’s a competitive environment. One they would not see with league play. Here is what I do like for her age group specifically:
1. Most of the stronger 06 teams in So Cal will be playing. Making league feel like CRL week in and out.
2. Required to have a trainer at games.
3. All games are filmed.
4. Supposedly our home games will be at SH. Let’s wait and see on that one.
5. Opportunities for 06’s to guest play at DA 05. Again, let’s wait and see.

With that and for this age group DPL works. I don’t think ECNL at 06 will be as competitive.
*Addendum-I do think ECNL at 03 and up offers great competition.